Obama visits Marines

US president-elect Barack Obama visited US military families while they ate Christmas dinner, thanking them for their service and posing for pictures.

Mr Obama visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii near his rented holiday home and briefly chatted with enlisted members who ate turkey, ham and roast beef.

He did not make formal remarks or speak to reporters during the stop. “Hey,” he said as he walked into the mess hall wearing a short-sleeved shirt and slacks. “Just wanted to say ’hi’.”